Wen Qingxuan's Choice

Mu Chen held Luo Li's hand, his fingertips clearly feeling the soft warmth of her palm.

"Luo Li," he asked, "which Spirit Academy did you choose?"

How could Luo Li fail to understand what Mu Chen meant? He wanted to choose the same Spirit Academy as her!

Looking at the handsome young man before her, her lashes curved gently, and a faint, irrepressible delight flickered in her eyes.

"Wherever you go, I'll go."

She spoke without hesitation or uncertainty, as though merely stating something perfectly natural.

At her words, Mu Chen's brows and eyes instantly relaxed, and an unabashedly radiant smile spread across his face.

"Then how about we go to the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy?" he asked with a smile, his tone light.

"All right." Luo Li nodded without the slightest hesitation.

A simple answer, crisp and decisive.

They exchanged a smile, and even the vast, empty War Realm around them seemed to brighten.

They stood shoulder to shoulder, the black-robed youth tall and straight, the silver-haired girl cool and ethereally beautiful.

To someone on another battle platform nearby, the sight looked rather...

Watching Mu Chen and Luo Li behave as though no one else existed-especially Mu Chen, whose grin was so broad that his eyes had all but vanished-Wen Qingxuan could not help rolling her eyes.

She, the great young lady Wen, had seen countless brilliant young talents. Which of them had not been proud, reserved, and self-possessed?

None had been like Mu Chen, taking a girl's hand and grinning like a complete idiot the moment he finished fighting and claimed the crown!

Tsk, what an unbearable sight!

Wen Qingxuan grumbled inwardly, unconsciously pressing her lips together as something complex and unreadable flickered in her eyes.

Her defeat at Mu Chen's hands was the first time in her life she had experienced being crushed without the slightest ability to fight back.

That absolute gulf in their levels of power made even her resentment seem pale and feeble...

As her emotions stirred, five figures arrived together.

The Five Deans descended onto the battle platform. Though they did not deliberately release their oppressive might, the aura they naturally exuded was enough to make everyone there hold their breath in awe.

The Dean of Sacred Spirit Academy stood with white hair falling to his shoulders and his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze settling on Mu Chen.

"The Spirit Road Trial has now reached a successful conclusion. The three of you are all outstanding talents of this realm."

"Mu Chen, as the Spirit Crown Holder, you may choose any of the Five Great Academies except the Myriad Phoenix Spirit Academy."

"Which academy do you wish to enter to cultivate?"

All four academies had offered terms, and the Sacred Spirit Academy's were undoubtedly the most generous!

Yet Mu Chen turned toward Dean Taicang. "I, Mu Chen, wish to enter the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy to cultivate alongside Luo Li."

The instant his words fell, the air in the War Realm seemed to freeze for a moment.

A trace of surprise flashed through Dean Taicang's eyes, but it quickly became a warm smile. Naturally, he was delighted to have such a talent join him!

The Dean of Martial Spirit Academy retained his sleepy expression, though the thin, withered hand stroking his beard paused, and the corner of his mouth seemed to twitch into something almost like a smile.

The green pine tree in Dean Tian Song's palm swayed despite the absence of wind.

The smile on Dean Wan Huang's elegant face did not fade. Her gaze lingered briefly on Luo Li's peerlessly beautiful features, and a hint of regret flashed deep in her eyes.

As for the Dean of Sacred Spirit Academy-

"Hmph!"

With that soft snort, a distinct gloom rose in his eyes. He neither looked at Mu Chen again nor exchanged glances with the other four deans, instead sweeping his white sleeve sharply!

"Bzz-!"

Space let out a low hum, as though unable to bear the strain.

The Dean of Sacred Spirit Academy stepped into it, his figure instantly swallowed by darkness as he departed in anger.

Just then, a clear, bright voice rang out:

"I want to enter the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy too!"

Wen Qingxuan stood on the battle platform, her high ponytail stirring in the breeze. She lifted her chin, her voice carrying its usual pride.

Dean Wan Huang did not seem particularly surprised. Turning toward Dean Taicang, she nodded slightly. "Dean Taicang, congratulations are certainly in order for the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. The top three of this Spirit Road Trial have all chosen your academy."

Dean Taicang returned her smile, his blue robes fluttering in the breeze. "It was fate."

With his keen perception, he naturally understood that all of this had to do with Mu Chen. It was good to be young...

Mu Chen raised his brows slightly, the smile on his face fading a little into bewilderment.

He turned to look at Wen Qingxuan. The girl, proud as a phoenix, met his gaze and even lifted the corner of her mouth provocatively.

Something's wrong.

Oh no!

Mu Chen's heart gave a jolt.

This Wen Qingxuan... could she be after Luo Li?

Without betraying anything, he tightened his hold on Luo Li's hand.

Seemingly sensing something, Luo Li turned her glass-clear eyes toward him, a faint question rising in their lucid depths.

Mu Chen leaned closer and whispered a few words into her ear.

Luo Li's eyes widened slightly. She glanced back at Wen Qingxuan, who was nodding toward them in greeting, then almost instinctively shifted half a step sideways, placing Mu Chen in front of her as a shield.

"Miss Wen," Mu Chen said calmly, "why did you choose the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy? Unless I'm mistaken, the Myriad Phoenix Spirit Academy should suit you better."

At his words, Wen Qingxuan's lips curled into an ambiguous smile. Her high ponytail swayed gently behind her head, and she radiated a bold, striking beauty.

"What?" she asked, arching a brow. "Am I not allowed to enter the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy?"

"Of course you are," Mu Chen said mildly. "I'm merely curious."

"Curious about what?" Wen Qingxuan countered. "Why I'm passing up the Myriad Phoenix Spirit Academy, which suits me best, and insisting on following you two to the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy?"

"To me, there's really no difference between the Five Great Academies. I fell short of you on the Spirit Road, but once we're outside it, I want to compete against you again!"

"I'll see you at the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy," she said, her voice clear and every word distinct. "Don't disappoint me."

At her words, the slight crease between Mu Chen's brows quietly eased.

As long as she isn't after Luo Li.

"Sure."

He smiled, his voice carrying its usual composure.

"See you at the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy."

Wen Qingxuan said no more. After one last, lingering look at Mu Chen and Luo Li, she turned toward the phantom image of the Mirror of Judgment that had appeared at some point. Her figure gradually faded as she returned to the world outside the Spirit Road.

Mu Chen watched the spot where she had vanished, lost in thought.

"I'll have to be more careful from now on..."

Luo Li looked up at him. "Do you think she'll make trouble for you at the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy?"

"I wouldn't call it trouble." Mu Chen shook his head. "She simply refuses to admit defeat. People like that are actually more genuine than those who flatter you to your face and scheme behind your back."

"I'm worried she'll pester you," he muttered, his voice lowering slightly. "I keep feeling there's something odd about the way she looks at you..."

"She's hardly coming for me." Luo Li cast him a sidelong glance, a hint of exasperation flashing in her glass-clear eyes. "It's clearly you she looks at differently."

It was all his fault for whispering nonsense into her ear earlier, making her react so obviously.

Seeing her look so adorable, Mu Chen paused briefly, then laughed despite himself.

Looking at Luo Li's cool, ethereally beautiful profile, he suddenly bent closer, his warm breath brushing her ear.

"What, are you jealous?"

A faint blush spread over Luo Li's ears at a visible pace, but she merely turned her face away, her voice so soft it was barely audible.

"...No."

The amusement in Mu Chen's eyes deepened. He reached out, gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and drew her into his embrace.

Luo Li stiffened slightly, then slowly relaxed, leaning willingly against his chest.

They held each other quietly, neither speaking for a time.